Sound Card
Overview
The Sound Card tab defines the default audio device used by Grid Studio.
This device is used for audio input and output inside the application and also provides a stable hardware timing source for the system.
Timing Source
Grid Studio uses the quartz clock of the sound card as a high-precision timing reference.
CPU timers are often not accurate enough for stable real-time processing. Because of this, Grid Studio automatically uses the sound card clock to calculate a more stable internal timing signal when no external timing source (such as Genlock) is available.
This behavior happens automatically and does not require additional configuration.
Using the sound card clock helps improve timing consistency for systems that rely on precise update intervals.
Some systems may not have a proper internal sound card but still expose audio interfaces through devices such as:
HDMI audio outputs
webcams
virtual audio devices
These interfaces may appear as valid audio devices but often do not provide a stable quartz clock. Using such devices as a timing reference can lead to timing instability or jitter.
If your system does not have a dedicated sound card and the project relies on time-critical processes (such as tracking systems or synchronized data pipelines), it is recommended to set the Sound Device to None.
This should also be considered when using external timing sources such as Genlock, since internal interpolation may still rely on the configured timing reference.
In cases where no proper sound card is available and precise timing is required, setting the sound device to None can prevent unstable timing behavior.
Default Audio Device
The settings in this tab define the default audio device used by the application.
This device is used whenever audio functionality within Grid Studio requires a hardware audio interface.
Sound Card Objects
In addition to the global sound card configuration, Grid Studio also provides Sound Card objects that can be added to a project.
These objects allow users to work with audio signals directly inside the system. They can be used for tasks such as:
audio analysis
signal processing
parameter control based on audio data
audio-driven workflows
Unlike the global project setting, these objects are used when audio data needs to be accessed or processed within the project logic.
Purpose
The Sound Card settings define the default audio hardware used by Grid Studio and provide a stable timing reference for internal system processes.
For projects that require direct audio interaction or audio-driven behavior, dedicated Sound Card objects can be used within the project.
Last updated